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PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:26 pm • # 1 
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On another forum there are reel posts featuring hard-to-find English reels manufactured from the 50's and 60's as well as some pre-war offerings. While beautiful and fun to fish, these reels generally cost much more than 2 or 3 "blue collar" versions of the same era. So to begin this discussion I present the Ocean City 35, 305 and 36
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and the 305 and 35 together. Not the 35 is the same as a 305 with a clicker
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A turquoise blue Sunbeam reel- no relation to House of Hardy
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All of these reel weigh less than 5 ounces and are pretty nice on either glass or graphite.Image


Last edited by keebranch on Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:40 pm • # 2 
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You can find small reels, including the Pflueger 1492 models pretty cheap as well, but if given a choice for a vintage reel, I will take an Ocean City 35!


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:56 am • # 3 
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Any vintage reels under 3oz? I have alot of old medalists and some berkley 510's and copies, but they work best on long upper wts or glass rods. I would really like a simple light reel for this 6'6" 2wt I am building. But I can't afford to spend that much.
Janus


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:04 am • # 4 
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You can use a Martin MG-3, which, IIRC, is right at 3oz. Umm...outside of the Tuna Can Martins I cannot think of a real featherweight vintage reel. A good value new reel for that size is the Forbes Magnesium that weighs 2.3oz and is available from fishpersonkev on ebay for $80.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:26 am • # 5 
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Thanks for the reply. Do you know the difference between a Martin MG-3 and a MG-3SS?



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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:37 am • # 6 
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If I am not mistaken, the MG-3SS has a palming rim. The MG-3 just has an adjustable click/pawl drag.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:06 am • # 7 
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Janus,
Look for an Airex Ablette 370. They're small at 2 7/8" and light mine with 82' of line and 20# backing came in at 4.7 ounces. This is one of my go to set ups which I pair with my TFO six foot 2 weight. These can be had on the 'bay for around $40.00 sometimes less.

Les


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:11 am • # 8 
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Janus,
It occured to me as well that I use a skeleton OC 61 which is **** near next to nuthin in weight and I've found it to be very inexpensive. I'll try and post some pics later.
Les


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:14 am • # 9 
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Ive never seen a 61 I don't think. Does it have the same drag that the 35 and up do?


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:36 am • # 10 
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Andy,
The 61 is a clicker only and is very basic. They peddled these through sears and wards for the luch pail crowd.
Bud and I were talking the other day and he addressed some interesting facts: Since the demise and consolidation of Martin into Zebco, there are no longer any real blue collar fly fishing set ups. Bud's definition is simple. Does the rod have the quality of the better rods with say fewer guides? Do you find these working man reels on shelfs in Western Auto or hardware stores? Are they affordable to the masses?
TFO comes very close in the rod category but is sold exclusively through sporting goods stores and specialty fly shops (pro shops).
As for reels, the Pflueger medalist ( made in China)Image is the last in this tradition, although you may not find it as mass marketed through channels like hardware or feed stores.
So that brings us back to ebay and the search for functioning pieces of history.

Les


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:47 am • # 11 
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Very good point. The Medalist is a tank for today's standards. This is part of why fly fishing has the view of being exclusionary. You don't have to spend thousands to fish quality tackle, yet the industry wants you to think so.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:07 am • # 12 
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Well that is what kept me away from fly fishing for so long. I always assumed it was a rich guys sport. I really enjoy finding the old useable stuff that is affordable. There is alot out there that has been forgotten over the years.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:21 am • # 13 
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I've never been rich, so I don't have really expensive stuff. This is one of the reasons I got into rod building too, I can build a rod for much cheaper than a factory rod would cost me. My most expensive reel is my Orvis Battenkill 3/4 clicker, that retailed for under a $100 when it was still available.

J.


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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:13 am • # 14 
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Picked up this 7' 3wt Cortland rod a fellow had made from an old kit recently, matched it with a Pflueger Progress 1774 and DT3. Sweet set up for under $100 total. Rod has a nice medium fast action and will be a great dry fly rod, matches well weight wise with the reel. Can't wait to fish with it some.

Image




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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:32 am • # 15 
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Corey, nice to see you here. That looks like a sweet setup.

Jeremy


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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:33 am • # 16 
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Hey HH, nice to have you, and that is a heck of a nice looking set up you have there!


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:06 pm • # 17 
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I just picked up a 35 for $20. Good looking reel that will be perfect mate for my 3 wt glass Hille rod.


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:42 pm • # 18 
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The OC 35 is a dandy and for $20.00 you've got a deal!


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:48 pm • # 19 
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The OC35 is amazing. I had one, Les now has it, and he is undoubtedly still fishing the living poo out of it! I would love to find an UL cane rod or a 6' 1/2 glass rod to toss a skeleton reel on.


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:51 pm • # 20 
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Location: Tucson , Hellazonia
Test in progress .


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